Should You Take a Bridge Job?
Career Advice / February 1, 2022The search for befitting job positions can sometimes be daunting, even when you anticipate faster job offers. You’ve been told to construct your resume, answer interview questions a certain way or stick to some tips; yet, your desired job is yet to be offered.
Giving up is not an option. Have you considered opting for “Bridge Jobs”?
It is not surprising that many don’t know about bridge jobs, however, we will elaborate extensively on them in this blog post. If you want to know more, continue reading.
What Are Bridge Jobs?
A bridge job is a temporary position that you might take at the end of a full-time career or in transition to a different one.
The term most often applies to people who leave career employment but take on a part-time role before full retirement. In a nutshell, bridge jobs avail you of the opportunity to fix the gap in your career.
What is the function of a bridge? Of course, it helps you to boldly move from one end to the other without the fear of falling.
In the hospitality industry, it might mean working part-time or you might take a contract position to help make ends meet. Essentially, a bridge job is your next job— but probably not your last job. Some might consider a bridge job as a step backward but keep in mind that taking a lesser role can help you “bridge the gap.”
In doing so, you can benefit both personally and professionally.
Do You Really Need a Bridge Job?
You might be wondering if you actually need to opt for a bridge job. If you fall in any of the categories below, you need to get a bridge job:
- You’re considering a career change: If you are planning to switch from one aspect of the hospitality industry to another (e.g from hotel management to hotel marketing), you can take on a bridge job to serve a pathway. This will enable you to gather skills, experience, and confidence to eventually work in the new career position effortlessly.
- You have a gap in your resume: This could be possible if you stopped working for some reasons such as studies, parenting, or relocation. Whilst you may have experience in the hospitality industry, this long-term pause from work can discourage employers who could offer you the kind of job you deserve. Taking on a bridge job will help close the gap between your resume and position for better offers.
- You want to build your hospitality business: There are many business opportunities in the hospitality world. While you plan to build your stable business, you can get a bridge job that will help you maintain cash flow and improved skills until your business is solidly rooted.
While the benefits of bridge jobs are strongly advocated for, it is highly recommended that you only accept or apply for bridge jobs that are in line with your career goals or the hospitality industry. For instance, if you are considering switching to a hotel marketing career, you should jump on marketing opportunities that will widen your horizons (instead of going for positions like event management).